About Trinity

What’s an Anglican?

Anglican simply means, “from England,” and stems from the 16th Century when the Church of England broke away from the Roman Catholic church. Over the course of history, Anglican worship has evolved to blend Roman Catholic tradition with Reformation theology and Celtic spirituality. We hold space for a breadth of cultures, spiritualities, practices, and vocations. We believe that, while we sometimes have disagreements, we each have a common call to worship Jesus as one body. Our worship is rooted in a tradition of common prayer (monastic prayer practices brought to everyday people). Living this out means committing to community with one another, witnessing Holy Scripture, and renewing ourselves through the Holy Eucharist each week. Many of our congregants express that Sunday church is the place they recharge, take a breath, and are inspired to step back into life’s challenges. The church is our sanctuary where we draw the strength to return to our vocations and bring Christ into the world.

About Holy Trinity Parish

A parish is the geographic area serviced by one particular church. Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Old Strathcona, is one church within the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton, The Anglican Church of Canada and the worldwide Anglican family. Holy Trinity has deep roots in Old Strathcona first gathering for worship here in 1893, before Edmonton was incorporated as a city and before Alberta became a province. Our Sanctuary was completed in 1913, and other parts of the building added in 1948 and 1962. By Diocese of Edmonton standards Holy Trinity worship leans ‘high church’ – candles, organ, choir, and vestments. We strive to cultivate living connections in the neighborhood. Our church is familiar to the queer community, theater folks, choral music buffs, thrifters, members of The South Alberta Light Horse regiment. We are close to the University of Alberta campus and on the edge of Edmonton’s hottest arts neighbourhood. We host a variety of concerts and Fringe theater shows each year. Old Strathcona is a complex neighbourhood with significant overt poverty; we seek to care for folks in need, often partnering and hosting events with various support organizations at work in the area. While many congregants join us for the beauty and solemnity of our worship, most stay simply because of the personal connections and opportunities to grow in faith. We have a vibrant kid’s ministry, and a number of small-group studies focussed on books, video series, scriptural study, and contemplative prayer.

What can I expect on Sunday?

Our services are liturgical, meaning that we follow a pattern of worship that Christians have participated in since the 2nd Century. This pattern includes a Gathering, Scripture Readings, a Sermon, Hymns, Prayers, a sharing of the Peace, and the celebration of Holy Communion. This may feel overwhelming if you’re new to liturgical expressions of Christianity. Fortunately, you will be provided a bulletin with the service laid out and with parts where you are invited to join in for congregational responses, psalm responses, and so on. There is no expectation that newcomers participate fully in worship from Day One. After a few Sundays you will notice that we repeat many elements of the service each week. Liturgy is a spiritual discipline designed to be grounding and spiritually enriching. Long-term Anglicans find that the gifts of liturgy continue to reveal themselves over a lifetime. Our pattern of worship is also reflected in our Church Year. We follow the life of Jesus through the seasons: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Creation. You will notice that the Sanctuary colours, robes, and liturgical practices change with the liturgical seasons. Each Sunday, we are invited to sing hymns together and to enjoy the offerings of our top-notch choir and organists. These artists, working with centuries of composers and arrangers, invite us into the mystery of God and the beauty of liturgy. When you arrive at Holy Trinity, please start by saying hello to someone – we like meeting new people. Church happens most fully when we are learning alongside friends and connections. At the beginning of the service, there are announcements given about what is happening at the church and what formation groups are available at the time. These are also highlighted in the church e-newsletter. In each pew are connection cards – please fill one of these out if you would like to connect and place them in the offering plate or give them to a sidesperson. You can sign up for the church e-newsletter or donate online elsewhere on this website. If you are wrestling with spiritual questions, our clergy are not just for show! Central to the role of clergy is to walk with people as some spiritual story unfolds in them. You are welcome to book time with them or to find a space to chat Sunday mornings.

About Communion (Bread and Wine)

Our Sunday morning worship culminates in a celebration of Holy Communion – bread and wine shared. Communion, sometimes called “the Eucharist,” is a unifying sacrament that Christians of all times, places, and cultures. During communion, we are invited to experience God’s life and presence through the body and blood of Christ (embodied in the bread and wine). Jesus said at his Last Supper, “do this in remembrance of me,” and we do. In practice, you will be invited to come forward to receive a small piece of bread (gluten-free) and offered a common cup for a sip of wine. The bread alone is considered full communion. If you are not ready or comfortable to share in communion, you may also come forward to receive a blessing (cross your arms over your chest to let us know this). You are welcome to simply observe from your pew.

Kids at Trinity

Near the beginning of the service there is a Kid’s Focus where any kids are invited to come forward for a brief chat up front with clergy or other leaders. Many adult parishioners find these talks fruitful as well. Following this, children are welcome to stay in worship or to go downstairs for Kid’s Church with two adult volunteers, adhering to the diocesan Safe Church policy. Downstairs, Kid’s Church leaders prepare crafts and faith activities focussed on one of the Scripture readings of the day. Kids then return up to the Sanctuary in time for Communion. There is also a Children’s Chapel at the back of the church with couches, toys, and space for kids to play while remaining connected to the worship space.

After the Service

Following our worship all are invited to greet one another downstairs and continue our worship in community, conversation, and refreshments. Coffee, tea, and other goodies are available through the efforts of parishioner volunteers.

Giving

Holy Trinity is funded entirely on financial gratitude from individuals. If you are moved and served by the life of this church, we do invite you to share in the care and upkeep of our church household through regular financial giving, practical help, and acts of kindness. An offering plate is passed in the middle of each Sunday service. If the plate seems a little empty, that’s because many people give electronically through direct debit or credit card. If you are giving cash, you may use a giving envelope to receive a tax donation (over $20).